Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

Asheville is in the News! Forbes.com rates "Asheville

6^thBest metro area in the nation...Full Story HERE 

Forbes.com rates Asheville 6^th Best metro area in the nation for business and careers.

 "One business sector poised for major growth locally is the green energy field. Alternative energy companies are about to get a major chunk of stimulus money.... President Obama announced an extra $800,000 dollars for the City of Asheville to hire people for energy projects."

Meanwhile, the 1st Quarter of 2009 underscores that report as
Asheville's  GREEN real estate market continues Strong

NC HeatlhyBuilt© Homes
Sold in 1^stQuarter  2007, 2008, 2009
: : MLS Three-Year Real Estate Market Statistics

YEAR        SOLD (Q1)                PRICE RANGE
2007         3                       $220 to $320K.
2008         1                       $ 201,000 K

2009         6                       $260 to $980,000K

 

Energy Star Homes  

Sold in 1^stQuarter  2007, 2008, 2009
: : MLS Three-Year Real Estate Market Statistics

YEAR        SOLD (Q1)                PRICE RANGE
2007         4                       $150 to $379K.
2008         1                       $ 421,000

2009         9                       $209 to $895K

 

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with

OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants. Contact janeAnne@janeAnne.com or  give a call at 828-255-1082 . Design your dream. Give us your checklist .

ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Curious about sustainable GREEN real estate possibilities ?  Register for the Eco Stewards' Learning Tours.

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind.

Forbes.com Asheville 6^th Best .Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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WAY BACK in the Summer of 2007 HGTV's House Hunters' crew flew in to Asheville, NC to videotape the story of a  couple (our clients) and their search for a green home.

The couple ended up deciding to purchase an older home, and then to retrofit it to their own eco-specifications...It would be "Ultra-Green".

In the meantime, the producers at the HGTV House HuntersShow had been planning ahead. They had their own hunt going on.  As a result of their efforts, HGTV found us and began taping for a Green Week segment to be aired in 2009!

Seems like a long, long time since we met up with  the folks from HGTV. 

So much has happened in the housing market since 2007, but  Asheville's green-built homesand retrofits continue to be in strong  demand here in Asheville. Asheville is one of the Lucky 7 real estate markets where properties continue to appreciate. Our green real estate market is growing each year.

And now GREEN WEEK, 2009 is about to unfold.... Yes! 

We all are very excited to see the segment the HGTV crew videotaped in our offices(see photo) and on location at the couple's "new" home here in Asheville as the green retrofit project evolved throughout 2008.

HERE is YOUR invitation to join the viewing with us next week.

Green Week Air Date and Time: Wednesday, April 22^nd, 9:00PM EST.

Back Story- HOW HGTV FOUND US HERE IN ASHEVILLE, NC

Active Rain Colleagues, you may be interested in how HGTV found us. They contacted us after reading a number of posts to the ECO-All-Stars Group posted on my BLOG right here at Active Rain.

THANKS Active Rain! Here's a big Green Thumbs Up for you.

The HGTV crew noted that there is huge audience interest in sustainable design, green building and retrofitting, our market niche at Eco-Steward Realty.  In fact, our real estate firm decided years ago to add our support to Asheville's "New Urbanist" Plan. The Plan calls for business and property owners on Haywood Road (just across the street from our offices seen in the photo here) to create a development pattern along Haywood.

As ECO real estate professionals we are interested in  avoiding urban sprawl. We advocate compact, transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly land use, including mixed-use development. Our neighborhood, Lucerne Park, is an awesome, diverse neighborhood with historical charm.

The Eco-Steward Firm invested in our 1923 brick bungalow (see photo) because we find the neighborhood not only charming, but convenient (transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly.)

The building itself is a ‘work in progress", but is about 90% restored. We have

1) replaced all light bulbs throughout the entire building  with compact fluorescents
2) are proud of our non-toxic flooring throughout...gorgeous old  hardwoods and, in the kitchen, marmoleum
3  have used non-toxic paints
4) are beginning to replace all the windows with energy efficient windows

We recycle, of course. No chemicals are used on our lot. We hope to have an organic garden next year.

We are a resource center. Our building not only is a lovely place to meet our clients, but is a place where we have the opportunity to give back to the community-

We support local artists... If/when you come to Asheville and visit our offices, you will notice the nature photography,pottery, and wall art. Our coffee cups are the work of a local potter. We are proud to be a contributing member of the Asheville community...neighborhood meetings and educational events have taken place here.

We offer objective fiduciary counsel and act in tandem with ecologists, land planners, green developers, architects, builders and so forth. . ..

The HGTV shoot was a good time...

It is going to be fun to see how all this plays out next week.!!

We hope you will put this on your calendar and tune in:

Green Week Air Date and Time: Wednesday, April 22^nd, 9:00PM EST...and let us know what you think! 

THANKS AGAIN ACTIVE RAIN!

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with

OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants. Contact janeAnne@janeAnne.com or  give a call at 828-255-1082 . Design your dream. Give us your checklist .

ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Curious about sustainable GREEN real estate possibilities ?  Register for the Eco Stewards' Learning Tours.

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind.

HGTV, Asheville, Green Week, 2009 .Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Like a zephyr breathing here and there across the mountains,
April smiles happily upon her minions.
She is  a force uncommon
and always on the move.

Contentedly, I register spring's promise in a heartbeat,
(the all-at-once coming together and letting go
that calls forth Life's magic ) as, thankfully,
Asheville's
GREEN real estate market continues Strong

NC HeatlhyBuilt© Homes
Sold in 1^stQuarter  2007, 2008, 2009
: : MLS Three-Year Real Estate Market Statistics

YEAR        SOLD (Q1)                PRICE RANGE
2007         3                       $220 to $320K.
2008         1                       $ 201,000 K

2009         6                       $260 to $980,000K

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with

OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants. Contact janeAnne@janeAnne.com or  give a call at 828-255-1082 . Design your dream. Give us your checklist .

ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Curious about sustainable GREEN real estate possibilities ?  Register for the Eco Stewards' Learning Tours.

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind.

Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eco-Stewards' GREEN LEARNING TOUR

Have you ever had a chance to experience- first-hand - a Gold Rated LEED certified building ?

If you haven't maybe you will guess how much I was looking forward to our visit to the Asheville's new Leed Certified Destination Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I could hardly wait to talk with the Park Rangers about their experience of and in the building. 

Like me, you may have been over-flowing with questions:

 

How does it  feel  each day?

What is the human experience where walls stand in saw-tooth formation, (see photo)

where interior light respects the movement of the sun ,and the temperature is always comfortable ?

What is the daily experience  when a green roof shelters you?  How are the native plants doing atop it?  How much water from the roof is being used?  Are the rain chains and detention ponds working as hoped?  

I wanted to know all about the  experience of living with cutting edge of energy technology.

What is the response to the integrated energy optimization strategies designed into their workplace?

And what can this mean for future stakeholders?

 

Finally, here we were face-to-face with a very impressive building, possibly even a work of art. Lord. Aeck. Sargent Architectural Firm  the design firm, describes the impression this way:

" Nestled into a hill,  the building evokes a ‘tree house' atmosphere that allows visitors to experience the majestic vistas..."  

 Features: Radiant heated flooring could have something to do with that.  The building also uses an energy recovery unit to transfer heat from air exhausted out of the building to air entering the building in the winter. Indeed, the integrated energy optimization strategies designed into Asheville's Parkway Destination Center are appreciated, it seems. 

Focus: Energy efficiency-the design on Asheville's parkway Destination Center can reduce energy use by up to 75%.  Even on a quick detour to wash hands that focus was evident where lights are controlled with occupancy sensors. Daylight harvesting coupled with efficient lighting can reduce lighting loads by 78 percent with orientation and external overhangs and shading devices coming into play.  And, even though the skies were stormy the day of our visit,  daylight brightened the interior. (This summer, the same overhands block the sun to prevent overheating of the walls.) 

 

But how do the daily occupants respond to the not-so-obvious features? 

 "I was not a ‘believer' about this LEED building,"
   one Ranger told me.

"But it fooled me," he beamed. 

"Unlike in some of the other facilities, here I am never cold," confided another, also smiling. 

 YOUR Turn: If you haven't had a chance to experience a LEED Certified building, and you are coming to Beautiful Asheville, NC, here's your opportunity. 

  A few features you may not want to  miss: 

•-          the sun-facing Trombe walls .  These are constructed  from material that can act as a thermal mass combined with an air space, insulated glazing and they actually vent and help to circulate fresh air in the building.
•-           the obvious use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.
•-           the optimized passive solar design
•-          natural ventilation and windows that open if so desired
•-          your own interview with one of the Rangers. 
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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with

OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants. Contact janeAnne@janeAnne.com or  give a call at 828-255-1082 . Design your dream. Give us your checklist .

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind.

The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Blue Ridge Parkway- Asheville- The LEED Parkway Destination Center - Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Land for Sale Asheville's Secret Conservation Gems- Photo Shoot

As chance would have it, we happened on land for sale that our eco-community minded clients will thrill to while out on a photo shoot on this  brilliant April Day.

There were the gentle slopes, the trails to easy then steep climbs, the Old Growth Grandfather Tree, the south-facing meadow, the cascading falls, the moss so old you were awestruck, and beside it, an Appalachian chimney ruin and ancient stone wall; places where continuity reigns and tranquility abides. 

Here are a few moments we captured along the way. Let me know if, like us, YOU are a person who "feels the spirit" of the Land. . .

ASHEVILLE MOUNTAIN HIKE

  gentle slopoe goes to steep climb and a family adventure


TRANQUILITY POND NEAR ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tranquility reigns at this place for reflection on a 27 AC parcel of land for sale near Asheville, NC

ASHEVILLE HERITAGE ON SOUTH-FACING LAND

... what once was an Appalachian farmsstead . Here we found a chimney and imagined what once surrounded her... possibly a sunny garden spot on this land for stewards that is now for sale near Asheville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us know if, like us,
YOU are a person who "feels the spirit" of the Land. . .

__________________________________________________________________________________

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............ keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    ............. with

OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants. Contact janeAnne@janeAnne.com or  give a call at 828-255-1082 . Design your dream. Give us your checklist .

ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Curious about sustainable GREEN real estate possibilities ?  Register for the Eco Stewards' Learning Tours.

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind.

Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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A Report on Asheville ECO: Farmland Values Project& The Eco-Stewards' Fiduciary Counsel

Offering objective fiduciary counsel to our clients is a lot  more than an avocation for the Eco Certified® real estate consultants at our Firm. It means keeping a finger on the pulse of local goings-on here in the Greater Asheville area. When it comes to sustainable innovation in Asheville,  it is an on-going adventure. 

Recently, we reviewed findings of potential interest for our clients in search of large acreages. The discoveries came from Farmland Values Project. (see photo of farmland near Asheville)

The Farmland Values Project involved both data collection and research, and a community interaction initiative. It asked the following questions: 

•       Does farmland in our area affect the quality of life of residents?
•       Is farmland of great importance to residents of our area?
•       Are residents concerned about the loss of farmland?
•       Do residents believe more needs to be done to protect farmland in our area?
•       Are both residents and visitors willing to pay to protect farmland in the region?

 The information gathered from the study, and our interpretation as "local experts", could have value for our clients. 

As land specialists, we notice, more and more, that our clients are demanding wise choices in eco-friendly land use. They want a close-up view on development issues and the tenor of the situation. 

The focus of the Project,  the results of research (answers to all the above questions are in the affirmative) and local real estate professionals' interpretation  of that information can respond to client demand.

(map courtesy of the Project shows area in western North Carolina studied)

The Farmland Values Project confirmed what we at the Firm suspected; that all of the above are tremendously important to Asheville area people and those relocating to the Asheville, NC area.  After all, farmland provides more than great organically and/or locally-grown food easy to find at CSAs  and tailgate markets  throughout our region.  

Sustainable farmlands also benefit non-farmers by providing flood control, landscapes worthy of the talents of Andrew Wyeth  or John Singer Sargent  and  a treasured  spirit of interdependence  and sense of place.    

Click here to LISTEN to one "old-timer" tell the story of that spirit of interdependence. . .look for more on this subject in the near future...and let us know what YOU think and tell me....how  would YOU answer the Farmland Values Project questions?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants. Contact janeAnne@janeAnne.com or  give a call at 828-255-1082 . Design your dream. Give us your checklist .

ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Curious about sustainable GREEN real estate possibilities ?  Register for the Eco Stewards' Learning Tours.

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind.

Asheville ECO: Farmland Values Project & The Eco-Stewards' Fiduciary Counsel-Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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From the ASHEVILLE AREA NEIGHBORHOODS TO LOVE Series : ALBEMARLE PARK (Part 1)

Let me start by saying...  Once upon a time, approximately 11 miles from downtown Asheville; or 7 miles from the where bustling Patton Avenue intersects Highway 63; or 5 miles from dear "Green Asheville's" city limits; or 1/2 mile from the new Leicester Post Office, there was a beautiful organic farm-  

HOWEVER......for those of you who want a glimpse CLOSE IN before we head out there here the first of our series on  ASHEVILLE AREA NEIGHBORHOODS TO LOVE...CLOSE IN neighborhoods and their parks...ALBMARLE PARK

ALBEMARLE PARK of which Cottage Living says, "Like Cheers, the famous TV bar, Albemarle Park is a place where everyone knows your name. A mile from downtown Asheville, Albemarle is equal parts refuge, extended family, and happy hour. Each of the storybook homes has a name, such as Dahlia, Fox Hall, and Chipmunk..."

Homes: Thoughtful sustainable design and "green up-fitting"represents the character of Albemarle where tree-lined lanes accentuate a cottage scale, and street signs that make your on foot or fuel-efficient vehicle over approximately 42-acres a delight.

Sloping land leads to charming cottage-style homes. These may be rustic bungalows or shingle-clad Dutch Revivals, yet, while styles vary, design consistency-in the building materials, cottage scale, and street signs-graces Albemarle Park with a unified feeling.

Neighbors: Like most neighborhoods in Asheville, NC, the folks who live here (many of whom are "Cultural Creatives  -- architects, designers, teachers, authors, doctors, poets, lawyers, and gallery artists) are known for old-fashioned neighborliness. Here you can meet neighbors at the Autumn chili supper, Earth Day cleanup and brunch, and Easter parade.

Shops and Hangouts: Walk on over the short distance or ride your bike to the excellent Charlotte Street City Bakery and watch the on-going the historic restoration in the building in which it is housed. Or you can go a few blocks closer in to downtown for a Late at Starbucks.  The Asheville Board of REALTOS' HQ is right around the corner from City Bakery.  Collect a picnic at the Bakery and meet us for a tour of Green Homes nearby.

 

 

Neighborhood Parks Greenspace: (see photo) Right at Albemarle's center is a unique neighborhood park called The Circle.  Thomas Wolfe once performed there. During winter, families meet there to sled; in summer, neighbors hold a concert series, and oh my the colors of Autumn call to residents and visitors, alike....for an after work ramble with their dogs.

Pet Friendly: Yes!

Price Range: $500,000 and Up...NO  homes available at this time
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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Asheville NC NEIGHBORHOODS Favorite READ ABOUTS - 2009  .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved.

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A Note to Buyers and Investors.

FOR OBJECTIVE REAL ESTATE COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants contact our Eco-Friendly Team via email links here, or at 828-255-1082 . ... design your dream , give us your checklist , or start by simply seeing   Asheville, North Carolina on one of our GREEN ARROW "Just Looking" "green" LIMO Tours .

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind

Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: MARKET OUTLOOK-It's GREEN (Part 4).

Cloudy days in the real estate market? Not so for eco-friendly buyers in the Asheville, NC area. ... 

 "Sunny days" (see photo )are still to be had. And, as I  reviewed the happenings in the real estate market here in the Greater Asheville area, I recognized bright trends and forecasts. 

Yes, to some extent, we have felt the effects of credit tightening and the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

But consider this:  Demand for green built homes has only increased.

And, in Asheville, it seems to help drive our market in a healthy trajectory.

For those relocating to Asheville:

•   MSN "Best Housing Markets"recently reported that    Asheville is in the Top 10 List 

Appreciation figures for  real estate markets across the U.S. can be found at the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight  but  there follows data I have collected for our very special area of interest in the
real estate market here in Asheville: GREEN REAL ESTATE. . .I've compiled data (below) for "GREEN-Built" Homes, ECO-Friendly Developments/Lots, Farms & Land /Acreage (20-100 Acres), Farms & Land /Acreage (100-500 Acres), Horse/Equestrian Properties w/ Residential Amenities, Luxury Residential and Second/Vacation Properties on at Least 5 Acres, and Special Gems for Baby Boomers.

2007-2008 to  2009  Real Estate Market Review & Trends ECO-Friendly Market Niche
Buncombe County & The Greater Asheville, North Carolina Area

"GREEN-Built" Homes and/or Energy Star
Closed in 2007- 2008  Eighty-two ( 82) 
470  NEW NC Healthy Built Homes ...

NEW CONSTRUCTION due shortly in 2009 
Six hundred eighty one (681)
                  
Currently Available Over $1M:  14
Available  $500- $1M :  20
Available  $300-$500K: 46

Available  $200-$300K:  58
Available Under $200K: 16

NOTE: "GREEN" NC Healthy Built Homes...DUE in 2009  681

LAND /Acreage (20-100 Acres) :                   
Currently Available Over $3M: 16

Available  $1M- $3M: 124
Available  $500- $1M: 132
Available $ 300-$500K: 115
Available $ 200-$300K: 83
Available $ 100-$200K: 36
Available Under $100K : 3

Look for Part 2 of this report SOON. It includes stats  and news about

• Horse/Equestrian Properties w/ Stables & Residential Amenities
• LAND /Acreage (100-500 Acres)
• Luxury Residential Properties on at Least 5 Acres and Second/Vacation Homes in the Mountains
• Special Gems and Tax Incentive for 1^st Time Home Buyers...Just FYI
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: MARKET OUTLOOK-It's GREEN (Part 4).The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Note to Buyers and Investors.

FOR OBJECTIVE REAL ESTATE COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants contact our Eco-Friendly Team via email links here, or at 828-255-1082 . ... design your dream , give us your checklist , or start by simply seeing   Asheville, North Carolina on one of our GREEN ARROW "Just Looking" "green" LIMO Tours .

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind

Asheville "GREEN" Real EstateMarket Outlook-It's  GREEN (Part 3) "GREEN" Financing and Tax Incentives (Part 3)

 There is a bright outlook for home and land buyers here in the Greater Asheville area.

Take for example the financing power in terms of energy efficient mortgages. ..and Tax Incentives.

 

(photo is one I took of the Asheville sky line...there is a bright outlook here)

According to the Residential Energy Services Network:   An energy mortgage is a mortgage that credits a home's energy efficiency in the home loan. There are two types of energy mortgages:

• Energy Improvement Mortgage - Finances the energy upgrades of an existing home in the mortgage loan using monthly energy savings
• Energy Efficient Mortgage - Uses the energy savings from a new energy efficient home to increase the home buying power of consumers and capitalizes the energy savings in the appraisal  

An energy mortgage is credits a home's energy efficiency in the loan.

Not long ago one of our clients obtained such a loan through a lender who is on the Green Referral Team we enjoy working with here in Asheville.  The home they chose went through a HERS Rating process and was shown to be energy efficient. That meant that they could buy a higher quality home because of the lower monthly costs of heating and cooling the home.

On the "green upFit" side another client chose to purchase a home where the energy efficiency was just calling out to be improved. In that case, the loan concept allowed for money saved in monthly utility bills to finance energy improvements. 

2009 Obama Stimulus Package according to Earth2Tech means thisfor eco-friendly buyers and investors:

1. The stimulus package expands tax credits for more energy-efficient appliances and insulation improvements, for a value of $2 billion over 10 years.
2. It also provides $300 million in matching funds for state rebates on energy efficient appliances and increases government spending on weatherization for low- and middle-income homes (annual income of $32,000 or so for a family of four, depending on the state, according to CNNMoney) to $5 billion, up from the current $500 million per year.
3. Public housing projects get $250 million for energy-saving upgrades.

2009 Obama Plan according to Energy Star  offers credits for energy efficient home improvements

The highlights are: The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.  The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.    The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.  The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009-2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.    The $200 cap on windows has been removed.

 Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency includes: Tax Credits for Consumers                                   Home Improvements   Windows and Doors   Insulation       HVAC                                                 Geothermal Heat Pumps    Water Heaters  Biomass Stoves   Solar Energy Systems                                  Small Wind Energy Systems   Fuel Cells

 All commercial and private buildings are eligible for a 10% grant in lieu of tax credit for the total cost of installing geothermal systems

But how does it affect you?  Let me know....and look for Part 4 for more on this subject
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: MARKET OUTLOOK-It's GREEN (Part 3).The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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A Note to Buyers and Investors.

FOR OBJECTIVE REAL ESTATE COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants contact our Eco-Friendly Team via email links here, or at 828-255-1082 . ... design your dream , give us your checklist , or start by simply seeing   Asheville, North Carolina on one of our GREEN ARROW "Just Looking" "green" LIMO Tours .

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm  specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind

Hop on board for the  Asheville GREEN RELOCATION Urban Green: : Green-Built Homes of Asheville Tour. Whether it is a home's environmental impact, its green features and/or place in the community many people relocating to Asheville look at this eco-friendly trend as THE important connection to what really matters...

 (photo is one I took of new green construction in Asheville)

And  when they explore Asheville, a desire for deeper look at  sustainable and historic neighborhoods, horse farms and eco-communities, urban lofts, and expansive acreages just seems to arise, naturally. 

That's where Asheville's  Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultants  can be of real assistance.

The "just scouting"  Urban Green: :Green-Built Homes of Asheville Tour lets people look around the Greater Asheville area sans pressure.

"You just need to make a reservation and, for a nominal fee, you can choose from one of eight tours, "  one of the tour guides told me.

" One of the most sought after is  The Green Homes of Asheville Tour.

"You can spend a few hours in walkable communities or in nearby neighborhoods and have a better idea of what is available and how you can benefit from TAX CREDITS," one person told me."

GOOD TO KNOW: There are currently 248 certified HealthyBuilt Homes and 681 "in progress" in the Western North Carolina area. What a great idea.... tour the Greater Asheville area before you relocate here.  Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultants  are knowledgeable in land and green-built or eco-friendly properties in the Asheville area.

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Asheville GREEN RELOCATION TOURS: The Urban Green: : Green-Built Homes of Asheville Tour..The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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